| Game World Observer

Deals October 14, 2021

M.O.B.A. Network acquires gaming forum ResetEra.com for $4.5 million

M.O.B.A. Network, which acquires, develops and operates gaming communities, has snapped up gaming forum ResetEra.com for $4.5 million. The company has paid $3.55 million upon closing the deal, with another $1 million to be paid by 31 December 2021.

Industry News October 14, 2021

ArenaNet co-founder starts new distributed studio Possibility Space with average annual salary of $100K

ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain has announced game development studio Possibility Space, which is now working on an announced AAA title. It is made up of former employees of Valve, Ubisoft, Oculus, and other prominent companies.

Industry News October 13, 2021

Former Aeon Must Die! devs release statement ahead of game’s release, disputing Limestone and Focus Home’s IP rights

Mishura Games, which was founded by former Limestone devs, has issued a statement ahead of the Aeon Must Die! release. The studio claims that publisher Focus Entertainment doesn’t have full rights for the IP.

Game Development October 13, 2021

UX designer Michał Malewicz discusses the UI of Deathloop by Arkane Studios

In this article, Michał Malewicz, UX designer and CEO of digital design and development agency HYPE4, discusses the UI of Deathloop by Arkane Studios.

Legal October 13, 2021

Google files counterclaim in Epic Games lawsuit, denying allegations of antitrust behavior

Last year, Epic Games filed lawsuits both against Apple and Google. More than a year later, the Android maker decided to answer and file its counterclaim. According to Google, it is owed financial relief.

Industry News October 12, 2021

Ubisoft employees afraid new ‘role model’ evaluation attribute might become another discrimination tool

Ubisoft has introduced a new evaluation attribute for its employees called “Act as a role model.” The staff, however, demand the removal of it, saying that it might be used in favor of abusers.

Industry News October 12, 2021

Dj2 Entertainment to adapt Sable and other Raw Fury games for TV and film

Raw Fury and Dj2 Entertainment have announced their partnership. The production company will bring some of the publisher’s video games to film and television.

Industry News October 12, 2021

Apple Arcade former head of content reportedly becomes new VP of PlayStation’s mobile division

PlayStation Studios seems to have a new head of its mobile division, Nicola Sebastiani, who previously was the content head of Apple Arcade. The appointment is in line with Sony’s plans to bring more IPs to mobile.

Legal October 12, 2021

Things get complicated in Activision Blizzard harassment scandal, as DFEH and EEOC oppose each other

Soon after California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) objected to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) planned settlement with Activision Blizzard, the EEOC filed its own opposition. This conflict will probably make the whole situation even more complicated.

Legal October 11, 2021

Apple appeals Epic Games ruling, saying that third-party payment systems might harm users and devs

Apple has taken the next step in its long-lasting legal battle with Epic Games. The company filed a notice of appeal against California’s court ruling, saying that the upcoming changes in the App Store policy might be harmful both for iOS users and developers.

Industry News October 11, 2021

Unannounced AAA remake confirmed by Virtuos former lead programmer amid MGS 3 remake rumors

Singaporean studio Virtuos has been reportedly working on an “unannounced AAA action adventure game remake” since 2018. The information was spotted on a LinkedIn page of one of the company’s former devs.

Industry News October 11, 2021

Turkish developer launches program to teach kids from small villages how to create games

Recontact Games co-founder Simay Dinc has started a special program for Turkish kids from small villages. It aims to teach them to code, create video games, and treat them as a form of interactive art.

Deals October 11, 2021

Tencent becomes Bloober Team’s largest shareholder by acquiring 22% of its shares for $19.5 million

Tencent continues to invest in Western developers by acquiring 21.97% of Bloober Team shares for PLN 77.6 million ($19.5 million). The deal makes the Chinese tech giant the biggest shareholder of the Polish studio.

Industry News October 11, 2021

Philippe Sauze steps down as Head of Activision Blizzard and joins MY.GAMES as Head of Europe

Industry veteran Philippe Sauze, formerly Vice President / Head of Activision Blizzard EMEA, has joined MY.GAMES to lead the company’s European division.

Industry News October 8, 2021

Crystal Dynamics adds XP boosts in Marvel’s Avengers, breaking previous promises

Marvel’s Avengers now offers more in-game purchases to players, including XP and resource-collecting boosts. The new monetization elements have been added to the game, although Crystal Dynamics previously stated that IAPs wouldn’t affect gameplay.

Deals October 8, 2021

Nacon acquires 100% of Ishtar Games and creates new indie label

French publisher Nacon announced that it has acquired 100% of the Ishtar Games studio. This deal will also include the launch of the new Ishtar label, which will “develop the creation and marketing of high-potential “independent” games.”

Industry News October 8, 2021

miHoYo returns to Hankai series with turn-based RPG Honkai: Star Rail for PC and mobile

miHoYo has announced Honkai: Star Rail, its new turn-based RPG for PC and mobile. Along with releasing the first trailer, the Chinese studio opened sign-ups for the upcoming closed beta.

Industry News October 8, 2021

Cliff Bleszinski upset that streamers making ‘way more money’ than most game developers

Cliff Bleszinski has shared his thoughts on a Twitch leak of popular streamers’ payouts. The Gears of War creator stated that it is sad that game developers are getting significantly less money.

Industry News October 8, 2021

Aggro Crab Games praised for its publishing deal offering 100% share to developer unless game hits 10K sales

Small studio Aggro Crab Games has become a publisher of indie horror Subway Midnight, saying it won’t take any fees from its creator unless the game hits 10,000 sales. This unusual decision received praise from other developers.

Deals October 8, 2021

MY.GAMES Venture Capital invests $3 million in three new studios

MY.GAMES Venture Capital, the investment arm of MY.GAMES, has invested in three studios: VOX, Tworogue Games, and Wideview Games. The total investments in the three studios amounted to around $3 million. In all three deals, MGVC acquired minority stakes in the studios with options to purchase control later.

All publications of the author

M.O.B.A. Network acquires gaming forum ResetEra.com for $4.5 million

ArenaNet co-founder starts new distributed studio Possibility Space with average annual salary of $100K

Former Aeon Must Die! devs release statement ahead of game’s release, disputing Limestone and Focus Home’s IP rights

UX designer Michał Malewicz discusses the UI of Deathloop by Arkane Studios

Google files counterclaim in Epic Games lawsuit, denying allegations of antitrust behavior

Ubisoft employees afraid new ‘role model’ evaluation attribute might become another discrimination tool

Dj2 Entertainment to adapt Sable and other Raw Fury games for TV and film

Apple Arcade former head of content reportedly becomes new VP of PlayStation’s mobile division

Things get complicated in Activision Blizzard harassment scandal, as DFEH and EEOC oppose each other

Apple appeals Epic Games ruling, saying that third-party payment systems might harm users and devs

Unannounced AAA remake confirmed by Virtuos former lead programmer amid MGS 3 remake rumors

Turkish developer launches program to teach kids from small villages how to create games

Tencent becomes Bloober Team’s largest shareholder by acquiring 22% of its shares for $19.5 million

Philippe Sauze steps down as Head of Activision Blizzard and joins MY.GAMES as Head of Europe

Crystal Dynamics adds XP boosts in Marvel’s Avengers, breaking previous promises

Nacon acquires 100% of Ishtar Games and creates new indie label

miHoYo returns to Hankai series with turn-based RPG Honkai: Star Rail for PC and mobile

Cliff Bleszinski upset that streamers making ‘way more money’ than most game developers

Aggro Crab Games praised for its publishing deal offering 100% share to developer unless game hits 10K sales

MY.GAMES Venture Capital invests $3 million in three new studios